Here is a quote from Bob Costas at the beginning of the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics:“The Chinese national anthem March of the Volunteers will be played as the flag is raised. That anthem was played more than any other at these games, with as we noted China leading the gold medal count by a substantial margin. And here it is again, March of the Volunteers, and there were literally hundreds of thousands of volunteers, some estimates say more than a million volunteers all told, working these games.
Can anybody tell me what is wrong with Bob’s statement?
Answer: Bob, China is a communist country. Every citizen is a “volunteer.” Let me draw you a map, Bob: let’s say you are a Chinese citizen. An armed Chinese soldier shows up at your front door and “asks” you if you would like to be a volunteer at the olympic games. What do you say? “No, I am going to be busy.” I guarantee that the soldier would then say, “Busy with what? Planning your funeral? Updating your will?” There is no such thing as a volunteer in a communist country.
Answer: Bob, China is a communist country. Every citizen is a “volunteer.” Let me draw you a map, Bob: let’s say you are a Chinese citizen. An armed Chinese soldier shows up at your front door and “asks” you if you would like to be a volunteer at the olympic games. What do you say? “No, I am going to be busy.” I guarantee that the soldier would then say, “Busy with what? Planning your funeral? Updating your will?” There is no such thing as a volunteer in a communist country.